Six years ago, two men’s dreams collided.

Milan Homola brought a passion for helping churches work together to serve their neighbors, while Gary Tribbett had a desire to bring the clinics his church held in Mexico to his backyard in Gresham.

After meeting at Clear Creek Community Church, the two fused their ideas, and Compassion Connect was born.

Since 2006, about 20 compassion clinics — clinics that provide free medical and dental care for those who are uninsured or underinsured — have been organized in places as far away as Rwanda.

The organization also has expanded to work with low-income housing complexes, schools and social services.

Sandy will hold its first Compassion Connect, a one-day free health clinic sponsored by 11 community churches, Saturday, Sept. 15. Anyone in the Sandy area lacking health and dental insurance or the ability to pay for medical services is welcome.

“With all the current arguments over politics and religion, this is just getting back to basic compassion for other people and showing the community it matters,” said Rachel Droullard, public relations coordinator.

Compassion Sandy will take place from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sept. 15 in the gym of the old Sandy High School, 17100 S.E. Bluff Road, offering free medical and dental services, vouchers for prescriptions, a community service and resources fair and free lunch.

The event is first come, first served and includes childcare and interpreters for Spanish speakers.

Droullard said the event likely would include chiropractic, vision and foot care, but she was waiting to hear confirmation on these services. Free haircuts also are likely to be offered.

To learn more, visit compassionconnect.com or call 503-668-8830. For information in Spanish, call 503-334-5416.